Solar task lights - buy one, give one free charity program

[DesertRose]

Thanks a million to DesertDouglas for providing us with the link to this incredible business that is bringing safe, healthy, affordable light to people in the developing world.

African Conservation Fund signed up as a distribution partner. For each light you buy for yourself, we get an identical one plus $1 cash - if you choose us in the dropdown menu. We will ensure that the lights are distributed to poverty-stricken villages in East Africa, especially in areas where highly marginalized people like the Maasai are trying to also conserve wildlife, land, and their culture.

BoGo Light - Help Light the World! (www.bogolight.com) (http://www.bogolight.com)

http://www.africanconservationfund.org/Overland_Bogo.jpg

The statistics are sobering:

- 2 billion people are without access to safe, affordable, healthy light at night

- 1.6 million die each year from bio-mass inhalation from dirty light sources (flames)

- Billions of batteries are discarded annually in the U.S. alone

- 100 kilos of carbon gas are emitted from one kerosene lamp each year, contributing to global climate change


The man who started this company is Mark Bent, an ex-Marine, 20+ year veteran of foriegn service as a diplomat, who saw a great need and is doing something about it. He's a dedicated person, and a nice guy as well!

It's amazing that something we take for granted every day is so needed throughout the world.

Help us out, help out people who have no other alternatives, and you get a cool light to boot!

[DesertDouglas]

I'm so glad you got ACF on the donor list--I just ordered two. Not only is it for a good cause, but also appears to be a good product: http://ledmuseum.candlepower.us/ninth/bogo.htm

[Desertdude]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll be in for a nice handful, they will make great gifts, as well as support concept :victory:

[calamaridog]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll be in for a nice handful, they will make great gifts, as well as support concept :victory:

These will make excellent stocking stuffers this year:)

[DaktariEd]

Cool News! :wings:
I'm in...two lights ordered!
:sombrero:

You know...I think my sister's pretty cool!

[Scott Brady]

Very cool, just made your bags to Africa a little heavier :)

[Kilroy]

It's nice to be given the chance to help with someone on the other end who can monitor a programs performance.

I'll be participating.

[DesertRose]

It's nice to be given the chance to help with someone on the other end who can monitor a programs performance.

I'll be participating.

I think this is a very exciting business model - who says a U.S. business can't make a profit AND do good for the world?

By bringing in legitimate partners who are involved in on-the-ground work, they can guarantee the lights go to the needy. They also understand that we need a little cash to help move the lights, so there is $1 cash donation built into each purchase - that helps us with transport cost and customs fees (read: "creative use of funds to help move things through customs").

I think the founder's experience both in military and in foriegn service taught him where the holes are in aid programs . . . imagine if a big aid organization was doing this: the lights would cost $100 each, they'd stockpile them in some Geneva warehouse for five years, then someone would find them and not know what they were for, and then they'd be given to the "field teams" driving the $50,000 Land Cruisers around Africa and staying at $200/night hotels . . . Me, cynical?!

[calamaridog]

I couldn't wait till Christmas so I've ordered one for myself. I love the idea of providing someone with something so useful and I love flashlights. How can I go wrong here:D

[HenryJ]

I am forever a skeptic, and do not wish to offend. What a way to start a post :oops:

Has anyone tried one of these lights first? Are they sturdy? Do they actually work well? Do they last? Do these people actually want them?

Are you just sending a bunch of plastic to be disposed of in a foreign country?

I would not want to send radio shack CB radios to our troops in Iraq. The thought is good , but if it does not really meet the needs , perhaps a donation directly to a person that can use the funds for what is needed to meet specific daily needs is money better spent?

I have donated medical supplies to countries with limited means. We filled a list. Sending them what seems like good supplies here may have been a burden and useless junk to them. IV kits are great. But with out IV bags they are useless. Thousands of syringes are great, but without needles they are plastic junk.

I know it is easier to get someone to donate when there is "something in it for them". You get a light and feel better since it was a donation to someone else. The light arrives and it is a $4 piece of junk. You still feel OK, since you contributed to a good cause. Would the money have been better spent sending it directly the the people who need it to buy solar panels to provide power for a school?

Please don't think me a scrooge, or wet blanket. I think the idea is good, but I am somewhat skeptical. Enlighten me. (kind of a play on words there :wings: )

[Desertdude]

I think Mark Bent thought it out before sending junk... I haven't met any human who doesn't want to be in the "Light" ;)

True nothing made lasts forever and I imagine Mark Bent could create another side buisness there replacing lights in due time.

http://www.sunnightsolar.com/Technology.php

http://www.lawcents.com/bizcents/bogolight-case-study/first-steps

http://eetd.lbl.gov/EMills/EMbody.html


In developed countries, flashlights are not a primary source of light; in fact, they are often considered nothing more than utility or emergency lights. Though the technology may exist to make a durable, solar flashlight, there is actually a strong disincentive to develop it. Consider the multi-billion dollar disposable battery industry (ie. Energizer and Duracell). They certainly would not be happy with something like a durable solar flashlight that only needed battery changes every 2-3 years.

Also, there simply isn’t a red-hot commercial market for them in the developed world. Rule #1 is that business only gets involved when there is money to be made.

Furthermore, few (if any) businesses would spend the resources to design a product whose main use is in Africa and the developing world because these areas are not primary markets for anything except weapons. The developing world is the “after market” where we dump all our used goods and goods that we cannot sell in other developed countries, often because they do not meet strict environmental and health regulations. I wish this was make-believe, but it’s all true. If you are skeptical, research it for yourself and let me know if I’m wrong. I will gladly revise this page.
What about non-profits and non-governmental organizations that operate in the developing world? Yes, there are quite a few of them, but they mainly focus on the most basic human necessities like hunger and health. These types of organizations are geared more towards services and distribution of goods rather than R&D anyway.

Ok…what about the Africans themselves; why don’t they help their own people? Most Africans do not have the time or resources to develop a solution for their own lighting problem. They are too busy eking out a living and trying to stay alive. Africans that do have the resources have little desire to help - unless you “make it worth their while,” of course. Corruption is a terrible and rampant problem in the developing world.

[calamaridog]

Please don't think me a scrooge, or wet blanket. I think the idea is good, but I am somewhat skeptical. Enlighten me. (kind of a play on words there :wings: )

Henry,

Based on the review here:

http://ledmuseum.candlepower.us/ninth/bogo.htm

I decided to try it out, as it sounds functional.

Also, I selected Roseann's group to receive the bonus light, since I trust her judgement regarding the usefullness of said item to those people her group tries to help out.

:beer:

[HenryJ]

Based on the review here:

http://ledmuseum.candlepower.us/ninth/bogo.htm

I decided to try it out, as it sounds functional.

Also, I selected Roseann's group to receive the bonus light, since I trust her judgement regarding the usefullness of said item to those people her group tries to help out.
I will be interested to see both of your reviews. I have been watching that testing and it didn't look all that promising to me. The light does have a large storage capacity. With that it could run for a long time with a full charge. There after the available sun is not enough to recharge to capacity in a day. I doubt that each user will take the time to rotate it to receive full exposure during the days charging cycle. Once the charge is down there seems to be 50 minutes of light to 10% each night.
For someone who does not research and understand what is happening here, it would seem to be defective and perhaps discarded? All this testing is done in the last few days. Where will it be three months from now. In use, or gathering dust on a lonely windowsill?
I think the premise is good. I do not have the answer, nor do I have any good idea what that may be. I know that this addition would not reduce my use of a gas lantern as a primary light source. I wonder if it will change their normal operating procedures?
I think it is a clever marketing idea, that tugs at the heart strings. That may not be the intent and all the energies may be genuine.
I am trying to shed some light in the shadows and see if there are other things we should be examining.

As with any new toy it is shiny and fun at first. Once the rose colored glasses come off how does it really work.
I work for a non profit organization. We receive donations and appreciate every one no matter how it may or may not help someone. People are not nearly as generous as they once were. Help is needed worse now than ever before. I can see soliciting assistance from any source available.
I do not know Roseann. I hope she will be able to give us a first hand report on how fast the product is received , what it takes to put them into service and what happens to them months from now.
If they turn out to be no more than a kids toy, I guess that is not such a bad thing. There are much worse toys.
People are creatures of habit. It takes a huge effort to change our routine. Generations more often than not. Is it wishful thinking to expect this to make a difference?
Would a solar panel and pump to supply fresh water from a well be a better investment?
Is there something better that could have been done with the $20 you each donate to the charity? If five of you purchased lights, what could Roseann have done with that $100? Would she have bought five flashlights?

I can see another side here. Something is usually better than nothing.
Would any of you just sent her cause $20. Not likely. This way there was something in it for you. They benefit by drawing you in to donate. Good marketing. I can find no fault in achieving a method that provides a return.

[DaktariEd]

I just received my two BoGo lights yesterday, charged them up in the afternoon sun, and poof! Let there be light!

My first impression on seeing the light was that it's bigger than I thought. It is 8-1/2" long, the grip 2-1/2" wide, and it is 1-1/8" thick. A large loop designed into the body has a retractable clip that allows it to be clipped to a belt or cord and carried along, or perhaps hung on or in a hut.

The light it produces is very adequate for getting around at night. Here in the Sonoran desert, I would probably walk a little slower and keep my eyes down a bit more, mush as I do with my own Tikka headlamp...don't want to aggravate a rattlesnake!

But let me address a couple of things. Having worked via a nonprofit humanitarian aid organization in Kenya on multiple occasions I think I can speak with some authority.

When the sun goes down in Africa, it gets dark...really dark! On many occasions as we were driving back to our "base" after dark, we were startled at how many people were still out walking along the roadsides, and particularly how suddenly they came into view. We had more than a few close calls. Of course they choose the roads because they can walk there without having to see well where they are stepping. They trust that the road won't drop away or that they will step on something unpleasant.

But that is not always the case. We've had a number of people brought into our clinics with injuries sustained in nighttime falls. And we've seen a few roadside fatalities from trucks hitting pedestrians. So...could they use the lights? Absolutely.

The use of various types of lamps inside huts is common. The fuels vary depending on location and availability. The byproducts of combustion are not healthy. I can't cite figures, but untold numbers of people are made ill from these pollutants every year. It is likely that life expectancy is reduced as a result. I think reducing this kind of exposure is a good idea.

Will they get charged effectively? Yes, I think so. It has been my observation that a gift like this is not casually laid aside but will likely be carried with them. It's almost a status symbol. If hung on a belt or similar I think the charge would be good. Even if it does not point directly at the sun, the equatorial sun is brutal! If they recipient is counseled appropriately when the lights are given to them the problem should be minimized or eliminated.

If they don't charge fully, will the user still have enough light? Well it sure would be more than they had before they had the BoGo light!

Will they think them defective and discard them? Possibly, but I doubt it. Again...initial counseling. I don't see anyone giving these lights out to millions of people. I would envision very few on a per capita basis.


Help is needed worse now than ever before. I can see soliciting assistance from any source available.

:iagree:


I do not know Roseann. I hope she will be able to give us a first hand report on how fast the product is received , what it takes to put them into service and what happens to them months from now.


I'll bet she will...


Is it wishful thinking to expect this to make a difference?

Not at all! How many people does it take to make a difference? I'd say just one. That's the premise we operate under. If we can prevent a single child from losing their hearing or vision or losing a limb to an infection, if we can stave off malnutrition for even a short while...then we've made a difference. Too many of us in the "1st world" think we have to effect change for tens of thousands in order for it to count as "making a difference." We don't. All it takes is one person doing one act of kindness to affect one person. The result may be small or it may be huge. Only time will tell.


Would a solar panel and pump to supply fresh water from a well be a better investment

No, no, no! Africa is rife with well intentioned but poorly considered "acts of kindness." A case in point is a large bore hole ( = a well) and storage tank sitting unused near our service area in Webuye, Kenya. Put in by the Norwegian government (IIRC), it sits idle because there are no funds to bring in electricity, add a pump or plumbing...not to mention the cost of upkeep over the years. The project was doomed before they started.

A better bet is a manually operated pump that kids operate...they rock back and forth (or round and round...can't find my link) and bring the water to the surface. Simple. Only a couple of moving parts that anyone (maybe even me) could fix. Now THAT is a great investment...if you can find anyone putting the idea into action.


Is there something better that could have been done with the $20 you each donate to the charity? If five of you purchased lights, what could Roseann have done with that $100? Would she have bought five flashlights?

Not sure...we should ask her...;)

I think the bottom line here is that IMO this is a good idea, a good start. The longest journey begins with a single step....and the biggest changes start with a single individual.

Just my 2 Kenya Shillings,

:sombrero:
Ed

[Desertdude]

Thanks for your insight Ed


I think the bottom line here is that IMO this is a good idea, a good start. The longest journey begins with a single step....and the biggest changes start with a single individual.

Well said...

[HenryJ]

Thank you for the intelligent discussion. Playing the skeptic, or devils advocate can bring to light things that you would not otherwise have known. Technology is not always the answer. Your reference to the simple mechanical pump as a case in point. Good stuff, thank you.

It will interesting to see some further testing and reports on the donated units.

We need to design a walking stick with a light. The shaft would be spring cushioned and power the generator that would charge storage cells for the light. A few solar cells in the shaft would be a way to charge it when not in use. The light would be down low where it is needed. Half a dozen protected LED around it. It would not be shielded by the body and visible 360°. At the top of the shaft there needs to be a retractable spike. This way it could be inverted and stuck in the ground to act as a torch light.
That would be a very handy walking stick.
Perhaps a piece of cord or string to attach the BoGolight to the staff they already have and do the same thing. Back to keeping it simple.

[Desertdude]

HenryJ - it is interesting that you mentioned a lighted walking stick. I have seen those rechargeable lights you shake, I wonder if this could be a way to also charge while you walk.

Great useful idea! :REOutArchery02: Worth documenting...

[DesertRose]

Hi All,

I have been wanting to answer Henry's post, but am running around like a crazy person trying desperately to get a zillion things done for a big donor trip to Denver and then immediately thereafter a month in Kenya and TZ. So forgive if this is a bit hasty! (And THANK YOU everybody who already pretty much said what needs to be said.



Has anyone tried one of these lights first? Are they sturdy? Do they actually work well? Do they last? Do these people actually want them?

I think you forgot to perhaps read up on the BoGoLight.com website first, and then also the reviews posted by DesertDouglas. They are extremely well researched and the idea for them came from a NEED identified by someone who has 40 years experience in Africa. I think that qualifies.


Are you just sending a bunch of plastic to be disposed of in a foreign country?

I can't speak to that directly without sounding skeptical back! A lot of folks in the West seem to want to keep the rest of world without the very same conveniences as we enjoy . . . why? Why shouldn't they have rechargeable plastic flashlights when all they have now is kerosene or candles? And they or their children die of lung-related illnesses from inhaling all the particulates in tiny mud huts? The statistics are there. The need is there.

Every time we go to African countries we're asked for our flashlights because they don't have the money - or are even remotely close to a "store" - for batteries. They just beg lights from tourists, then toss them out when they're dead and beg for more.

Can you imagine how hazardous it is to walk at night in regions where there are deadliest snakes in the world? More people die of snakebite in African then many of the "scary" diseases everybody worries about.



I know it is easier to get someone to donate when there is "something in it for them". You get a light and feel better since it was a donation to someone else. The light arrives and it is a $4 piece of junk. You still feel OK, since you contributed to a good cause. Would the money have been better spent sending it directly the the people who need it to buy solar panels to provide power for a school?

We have seen the lights, they're great. They will be welll-received.

Would the money have been better spent on something else?

Gosh, you could say that about ANYTHING!

Would I rather have $100 cash than the lights?

Of course.

I'd also rather be fundraising than writing this right now! :)

But you could talk yourself out of ANYTHING with this kind of logic.

Here's where we're coming from:

someone has a great program to fill a big need (if you haven't travelled in the Third World and really gotten out there and visited with real people, you can't fathom the needs . . .).

We are supporting it because sometimes it is just one small deed, one small step, one person at a time to change the world.

If all I ever thought about was "oh I'm not going to do this because helping one person read at night / not step on a puff adder / not get lunch disease because I'd rather help 500 or 500,000 people" then I'd never do anything.

And I'd just sit on my rear like most of the rest of the world and get fatter in the First World.

Sorry I'm sounding snarky! I just really feel passionately that to change the world it starts with small things, and with people with heart.

We should not criticize these people til we first read up on what they are doing and then talk to them directly (that's what I did with Mark Bent and this project - before I supported it, or wrote anything about it).

Well, I must get back to work.

Oh, and by the way if you'd read the website, you'd see their next project is a cheap solar powered water purifier. Dirty water is a huge cause of massive infectious disease spread in Africa.

[Jonathan Hanson]

Are you just sending a bunch of plastic to be disposed of in a foreign country?

Only in the first world do we simply dispose of plastic. Elsewhere in the world it is normally either repaired or put to another use. I've seen guys sitting on chairs on the sidewalk in Dar es Salaam with a circuit tester and soldering iron and a bucket full of junk cell phones, repairing the phones of passers-by who, if they were American, would simply toss them and buy a new one.

African women still carry loads on their heads, but now they frequently use the ubiquitous five-gallon plastic paint bucket, which is absolutely superb for the task. This annoys many camera-toting tourists, who want to see quaint clay pots (which break) or hand-woven baskets (which are labor-intensive to produce and wear out quickly).

The lack of nighttime lighting in Africa is a real problem, as the developer of this project rightly realized after his extensive experience. He didn't simply sit at a desk in the U.S. and think, "Ooh: flashlights! That would be a fun thing to send over!" As far as his choice of product, he surely wouldn't get very far if he suggested people buy one Surefire 6P light for themselves for 60 bucks and he'd send another one to Africa, along with six dollars worth of lithium batteries that would last an hour. He needed something affordable and as nearly as possible self-contained. After using a Bogolight I'm impressed with its design and execution. The shake-and-bake light is a great suggestion too, but the technology for those is still more expensive as far as I know.

[Jonathan Hanson]

In the interests of developing the Bogolight project further, as well as to address the concerns of those who doubt the utility of the concept, we have introduced an entirely new model, which can be distributed to the Maasai anti-poaching patrols supported by the African Conservation Fund. Announcing the Bogo Maasai anti-poaching tactical light:


http://www.jandrhanson.com/jh/Bogotactical.jpg

[DaktariEd]

Most interestingly, a pharmaceutical company rep came by this morning and offered a new "gadget" to promote their product.

It's a hand-cranked hand held flashlight very similar in size to the BoGo light. I don't know much more about it, but the rep is going to try to get me more data, and look into a corporate donation of these lights. And if I can get the manufacturer name info perhaps we can get a corporate donation from them as well. You never know...

Pretty interesting coincidence, eh?

:sombrero:

[DaktariEd]

In the interests of developing the Bogolight project further, as well as to address the concerns of those who doubt the utility of the concept, we have introduced an entirely new model, which can be distributed to the Maasai anti-poaching patrols supported by the African Conservation Fund. Announcing the Bogo Maasai anti-poaching tactical light:


http://www.jandrhanson.com/jh/Bogotactical.jpg


That's perfect!
:ar15:

[Desertdude]

Beaded belt extra?

[Jonathan Hanson]

Optional. It comes standard with duct tape.

[Desertdude]

:elkgrin:

[DesertDouglas]

Jonathan that's brilliant, absolutely brilliant!

I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't become part of some warriors' headdresses--given some of the things we've seen.

[HenryJ]

I have been wanting to answer Henry's post, but am running around like a crazy person trying desperately to get a zillion things done for a big donor trip to Denver and then immediately thereafter a month in Kenya and TZ. So forgive if this is a bit hasty!...Sorry I'm sounding snarky! I just really feel passionately that to change the world it starts with small things, and with people with heart.
Sorry to keep you from much more important endeavors. Thank you for taking the time to respond. Sound as "snarky" as you wish. :) I have a hard crust and will not be offended. I knew full well that I may have set myself out as a whipping post, but really did want to air the discussion.

I did read the website and I would rather have confirmation from and independent source such as yourself. There are way too may out there pounding the drums of their cause only to line their pockets.
I would have been less skeptical if there were not such a long list of different beneficiaries. I can now believe the need in the areas that you know in Africa. Do the troops in Afghanistan need them as well? I will admit that the list has many that I do not recognize or understand, Hence the red flag in my mind.
Maybe I have been scammed one to many times. I like to take a good look before I jump, or suggest others take the leap.

[DesertRose]

I can see another side here. Something is usually better than nothing.
Would any of you just sent her cause $20. Not likely. This way there was something in it for you. They benefit by drawing you in to donate. Good marketing. I can find no fault in achieving a method that provides a return.

Many of the people responding on this thread are already donors to our conservation work in East Africa, and to other causes. I will say that none of them give because they "get" a light or something. They give because they be good folk.:wings:

You might note that there is an option to NOT receive a light but send 2 to a charity. Many folks have done that.

And also, we're (African Conservation Fund) not doing it for the marketing.

We're doing it because we want to help people through this neat cause.

It's a small part of the bigger picture that we're working on and if we can make life a little nicer for a few hundred folks in East Africa - who currently are incredibly poor - then that's a good thing.

You don't recognize many of the names on the Bogo Light dropdown menu of charities because they are grassroots groups who really get the real work done (as opposed to the BINGOs - Big International NGOs).

Again, the website clearly describes why they're doing it this way and not using huge aid orgs to move the lights. It would be a helluva lot easier for Mark Bent to just cut deals with a UN arm and make a sweet profit and the lights go nowhere.

And he supports the troops because he was a Marine. Maybe they don't need them as much, but he's doing it because he supports what they are doing.


Thanks for everybody's support on this interesting project.

I'll be leaving in a few weeks and probably will have to drop ship the lights because we're getting a lot!

[calamaridog]

http://www.jandrhanson.com/jh/Bogotactical.jpg

I'll forward this concept to the Weapons Training Unit but I suspect they will not like the color.

First I should clean the juice off my monitor, which came out of my nose, thanks a bunch:shakin:

[calamaridog]

I just want to say one more thing.

Kids like flashlights. Even if it is just a toy for some poor kid, it would bring a smile to their little face:)

My daughter is 3 and she has more than one flashlight. She really likes them.

[DaktariEd]

Trust me on this one...the parents would treat this as a major addition to the home. It will NOT end up in some kids hands for play. NO WAY!

:sombrero:

[calamaridog]

I don't intend to imply that it is a plaything, but all kids could use a good flashlight to keep monsters away, especially when they may be real.

You can rest assured that she will subject this light to a rigorous torture test:D She did manage to break her moms Surefire after all.

[DesertRose]

Both of you are right. Though the African kids will love them, it's unlikely they will be used for anything but serious stuff, like reading and going to the loo at night.

And testing it with a 4 year old is perfect!

Breaking a Surefire - ouch! I've read of several Surefires surviving direct bullet hits. So it's funny that a child could break one. The ultimate test!

[DesertRose]

Just a quick report:

Thanks to EVERYONE'S SUPPORT - we have amassed 124 lights!!!

I'm going to take as many as I can with me if I can get them sent to me by the 20th, but then we'll keep accruing them and then drop-ship when we pass 200.

This will be enough to give lights to all the families in at least 2 major villages in the trans- Rift Maasailand.

Thanks everyone!

[Desertdude]

That is great news! The portal has spoken... :clapsmile

Let me know if I can help in anyway. :REExeSquatsHL1:

[DaktariEd]

Careful, Roseann,
This may start a major tribal war when one village wants the lights enjoyed by another...

;)

[Martyn]

Roseann

After reading my copy of Overland Journal and noticing that the final article was written by one "Flashlight Man", I'm a little concerned with your endeavors into retailing this product. Do you think it may put the poor "Flashlight Man" over the edge?

I'm already seeing him attach the flashlight rifles, what's next ? I haven't been able to find the correct phrase for “Flashlight Addiction”, I'm sure it's on the tip of someone’s tongue out there. All the signs of true addiction are there, maybe a stint in a darkened room might be beneficial?

[Jonathan Hanson]

The idea of a box full of 200 flashlights does leave me a bit . . . agitated.

In fact, I think I need a cold shower.

[DaktariEd]

Roseann

After reading my copy of Overland Journal and noticing that the final article was written by one "Flashlight Man", I'm a little concerned with your endeavors into retailing this product. Do you think it may put the poor "Flashlight Man" over the edge?

I'm already seeing him attach the flashlight rifles, what's next ? I haven't been able to find the correct phrase for “Flashlight Addiction”, I'm sure it's on the tip of someone’s tongue out there. All the signs of true addiction are there, maybe a stint in a darkened room might be beneficial?

You know, it could be a phobia. Perhaps fear of the dark or dark places?
Fear of Dark or night = Nyctophobia.
Fear of being in a Dark place = Lygophobia.
Fear of Darkness = Achluophobia or Myctophobia, or Scotophobia.
Perhaps he was locked in a closet when young...without a flashlight of course.

;)

[Martyn]

You know, it could be a phobia. Perhaps fear of the dark or dark places?
Fear of Dark or night = Nyctophobia.
Fear of being in a Dark place = Lygophobia.
Fear of Darkness = Achluophobia or Myctophobia, or Scotophobia.
Perhaps he was locked in a closet when young...without a flashlight of course.

;)

Scotophobia; The fear of being in darkness while wearing a kilt ??

[Jonathan Hanson]

I think that would be scrotoph . . . oh, never mind.

[DesertRose]

Scotophobia; The fear of being in darkness while wearing a kilt ??

Or maybe Kikoiphobia?

You guys are cracking me up!

[DesertRose]

Please see In Progress Expeditions here (http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=88113#post88113).

[DesertRose]

Reporting in - just got the July tallies, and African Conservation Fund has brought in 444 BoGo lights for distribution in Kenya and Tanzania.

I'll be having them drop-shipped and distributed through various partners - we have decided to work village-by-village, so every family will get one.

These are great numbers! Overall, the company has brought in 7000 donated lights.

Thanks for all the support!

[calamaridog]

That is very cool and it isn't even Christmas yet. These things would be awesome stocking stuffers. Mine continues to survive my 3 1/2 yo daughter too. She has used it tons and it continues to hold a charge.

That really is an impressive figure.

[Desertdude]

Great work Roseann, those numbers are amazing!

I wonder if there is a way to track the progress, use and durability of these lights as the years go by?

[calamaridog]

I wonder if there is a way to track the progress, use and durability of these lights as the years go by?

My 3 1/2 y.o. daughter is doing an ongoing durability test:sport_box

Not very scientific I know:o

[DesertRose]

My 3 1/2 y.o. daughter is doing an ongoing durability test:sport_box

Not very scientific I know:o

Perfect!

We are in regular contact with the people who will be receiving the lights (and who already have them) so we will keep track, and pass it along to the company, which is very responsive.

Thanks all!

[calamaridog]

Wow. These lights are really durable. I can't believe the light survived 3 hours in the back yard with 12 hell raisers at a kids halloween party. Not to mention my nephew chucked it about 10 feet and it landed hard on the turf. Still works fine;)

[DesertRose]

Nice report, thank you!

On Friday I heard from the folks at BoGo lights - they are going to be in Newsweek this week possibly, and WorldVision is featuring it in their upcoming holiday catalogue.

WorldVision is going to use one of our photos, too - very cool!

[DavidG]

5 more heading your way :)